(Juneau) - The 26th Alaska State Legislature today passed House Joint Resolution 24, urging the U.S. Congress and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to stop discriminating against military families who live off-base when figuring income levels for school nutrition program participation. House Judiciary Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the resolution, which passed the Alaska State Senate unanimously today. The measure passed the Alaska State House Feb. 17.

Military families of limited income who choose to live off base are being denied inclusion for breakfast, lunch and after school snack programs, even though the basic allowance for housing is now mandatory whether you live on base or not.

“HJR 24 urges an easy fix that can restore some equality to the families of soldiers who cannot, for whatever reasons, make ends meet,” Ramras said. “Military families of limited income who choose to live off base are being denied inclusion for breakfast, lunch and after school snack programs, even though the basic allowance for housing is now mandatory whether you live on base or not. We shouldn’t add to the hardships our military families face.”

Copies of HJR 24 will be sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and the members of Alaska’s congressional delegation.